Ice cube tray



@cih 19, i944. L L, MALLARD 2,360,249

ICE CUBE TRAY Filed May 4, 1939 Patented Oct. 10, 1944 ICE (TUBE TRAY Logan L. Mallard, Norfolk, Va., assignor of onehalf to H. Clay Hofheimer, II,l Norfolk, Va.

Application May 4, 1939, Serial No. 271,781 (ci. sz-108.5)

20 Claims.

This invention relates to ice cube trays. for refrigerators.

As is lwell known, it has been the practice for a number of years to furnish mechanical refrigerators with rubber or metal trays, the former being advantageous because of the relatively easy removal of the cubes and the latter being advantageous for the reason that they permit much more rapid freezing of the ice. In the metal trays, it is diiiicult to remove the cubes and it has been the practice to run water over the tray, and particularly the bottom thereof, to facilitate the removal of the cubes. A number of trays have been developed having mechanical means for loosening the cubes upon operation of a lever. Such trays for the most part have been unsatisfactory for one reason or another. For example, some such devices do not completely release the cubes from the-grid structures, while in other devices substantial breakage of the cubes occurs.

Generally speaking, an important object of the present invention is to provide an ice cube tray having easily operated lever means associated therewith for releasing the cubes from the grid 'and tray and depositing the cubes loosely in the tray.

More specifically, an important object ofthe invention is to provide a grid structure operable by a single lever for eilectively breaking the adhesion between the ice cubes and the grid structure and tray, particularly the bottom of the tray, thus permitting a single operation of the lever to deposit all ofthe ice cubes in the bottom of the tray.

A further objectv is to provide a grid unit comprising a pair of elements extending substantiallyv throughout the length of the tray and forming the longitudinal unit of the grid structure, and to so formthe longitudinal elements and to operate them in such a manner with respect to each other as to facilitate the loosening of the cubes from the grid structure and the l tray.

A further object is to provide a-mechanism of the character referred to wherein the operation of the lever effects bodily movement of the grid structure longitudinally of the tray to shear the cubes from the bottom of the tray and to simulslidable with respect to the other longitudinal elementand is so formed as to provide a shearing and camming .action to positively loosen the cubes from the grid structure.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawing I have shown one embodiment of the invention. In this showing- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the complete device showing the parts in normal position,

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view showing the parts in operative position,

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view4 on line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view on line 4--4 of Figure 2, and, Y

Figure 5 is avdetail perspective view of one of the transverse grid elements.

Referring tov Figure 1 the numeral Ill designates a conventional refrigerator ice cube tray in which is arranged a cube-forming grid structure indicated as a whole by the numeral II.v The grid structure comprises a. longitudinal unit indicated as a whole by the numeral I2 and comprising .a pair of spaced parallel elements I3 between which is arranged a center element I4, the elements I3 and I4 extending longitudinally of the tray preferably Afrom end to end thereof. An inverted 4U-shaped -bar I5 extends over and receives the upper edges of the elements I3 and I4 and preferably extends throughout the length of the tray, as shown in Figure 1.y The element I4 is slidable between the elements I3 in a manner to be described.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, it will be noted that the grid element I4 is provided with a series of openings I6 and that the elements I3 are similarly provided with openings II, one side edge and the bottom' edge of each of which is tapered as at I8 to provide a shearing and camming surface for a purpose to be described.

A plurality of transverse grid elements I3 form a, part of the grid structure and each element I9 is shaped as shown in Figures 3 and 5.

Referring to Figure 5 it will be noted that each transverse grid element is notched in its lower portion as at 20 andthis notch is of a width to freely, receive the three thicknesses represented by the lower portions of the elements I3 and I4. The top portion of each transverse grid element is provided with a relatively long notch 2| forming the center of the element I9 as a neck 22 which extends through corresponding openings I6 and I'I. Each notch 2I is suiiiciently deep to receive the bar I5 as will be apparent, and each notch is elongated for another purpose to be described.

At one end of the grid structure a pin 23 extends through and is carried by the grid elements I3 and the depending portions of the bar I5 and this pin operates in an elongated slot 24 formed in the element I4 adjacent and substantially parallel to the upper edge thereof. The pin 23 therefore serves to guide the adjacent end of the element I4 with respect to the elements I3 and it also serves to connect the adjacent ends of the elements I3 to the bar I5 against movement` with respect thereto.

Near the opposite end of the grid structure a pivot pin 25 extends through the grid elements I3 and the depending portions of the bar I5, and this pivot pin, therefore,serves the function of connecting the adjacent ends of the elements I3 to the bar I5 to'prevent relative movement between these elements in the same manner as the pin 23. However, the pin 25 does not engage the grid element I4 for a reason to be described. The pivot pin 25 extends outwardly beyond the opposite sides of the bar I for engagement with the arms 26 of an operating lever 21. 'I'he pin 25 extends through slots 28 formed in' the enlarged ends 29 of the lever arms 26. The function of the slot 28 will be referred to later.

A pin 30 extends through the enlarged ends 29 of the lever arms 26 and is connected to the grid element I4, the pin 30 being freely movable through slots 3|, formed in the grid elements I3, and through slots 32, formed in the depending portion of the bar I5. It will be apparent th'at the slots 3I and 32 permit the lever to pivot about the pin 25, and the pin 30 will transmit movement to the grid element I4, the point of connectionof the pin 30 with the element I4 moving in an arc of a circle with the element 25 as its center. In this connection it will be noted thatl the slot 28 is arcuate and concentric with the pin 30. The reason for this formation of the slot 28 will be apparent from Figure 1. In the normal position ofthe parts the lever 21 lies in a horizontal position and the slot 28 permits the lever 21 to move freely until the pin 25 engages the lower-end of the slot 28 as viewed in Figure 1, at which point the lever 21 will be in a position to be readily grasped by the hand of the operator. When the lever 21 is in the normal position referred to the pins 25 and 30 are approximately in the same horizontal pl'ane, and the upper edge of the yelement I4 is notched as at 33 (Figure 2) to freely receive the pivot pin 25, thus permitting the upper edge of the grid element I4 to move upwardly to its desired limit of movement when the parts yare in normal position.

The operation of the device is as follows:

The tray is filled with water in the usual manner and placed in the freezing lcompartment of the refrigerator with the parts arranged in the normal position shown in Figure 1. When it is desired to remove the cubes from the tray, the tray is removed from the refrigerator and placed on a suitable fiat surface, whereupon the operator will lift the free end of the handle lever 21. As previously stated, the arcuate slots 28 will permit the handle 21 to move freely upwardly during its initial movement, thus permitting the handle to assume a position with its free end sufficiently above the grid structure to be grasped by the operator before the cube-releasing operation takes place.

The free movement of the handle lever 21 is arrested when the pin 25 engages the lower ends of the slots 23. The pin 25 thereupon becomes stationary with respect to the handle lever, and further upward movement of the free end of this lever will cause the pin Si@ to partake of movement in an arcuate path about the axis of the pin 25. The point at which the pin 30 is connected to the grid element ld, therefore, will be caused to move in an arcuate path having components of movement relatively downwardly and horizontally toward the opposite end. of the tray. Actually, the grid element I4 will remain stationary, since it contacts with the bottom of the tray, and upward movement will be transmitted to the grid elements i3 and the bar I5 adjacent the corresponding end of the tray,'such units simultaneously moving away from the opposite end of the tray.

The operation referred to produces several results. in the first place, it provides upward movement of the adjacent end of the entire grid structure, except for the element I4, which remains stationary, while at the same time moving it horizontally, thus causing the transverse elements itl to effectively break the adhesion between the ice cubes and the bottom of the ice tray.` In the second place, the operation referred to moves the openings l5 and I1 (Figure 4) toward registration with each other, thus providing openings through the longitudinal grid unit which are wider than the respective transverse gridplates, thus freeing these plates for substantial movement relative to the longitudinal .grid unit to permit them to assume whatever positions are necessary whereby the ice cubes may be more readily dropped when released.

It also `will be apparent that the operation referred to causes the plates I3 `and I4 to partake of movement having vertical and horizontal components with respect to the grid element I4. The ice which will have adhered to the portions of the element I4 exposed by the openings I1 thus will be sheared from the element I4 by the tapered faces I8, and these faces also exert forces "against the ice cubes outwardly toward the sides of the tray to produce a camming action whereby the cubes are released both from the longitudinal and transverse grid elements. Upon the completion of the operation of the handle lever 21 it will occupy substantially the position shown in Figure 2 at which time every cube in the tray will be completely released from the tray and from the grid structure whereupon the grid structure may be completely lifted out of the tray by the handle lever 21.

The cubes thereupon may be placed in a suitable container for use, if desired, and the grid structure may be replaced in the tray in the position shown in Figure 2. The handle lever 21 thenv may be returned to its normal position shown in Figure 1, and the parts will be in the proper position for the freezing of the next batch of ice cubes.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present structure embodies a minimum number of parts which may be readily and cheaply manufactured, most of the elements being capable of economical manufacture by stamping. All of the transverse grid elements I9 may be duplicates of each other, while the two longitudinal elements I3 are likewise duplicates of each other. The relatively elongated notch 2| in the upper edge of each transverse grid element is provided to receive the lever arms 26 when the latter are in the normal position shown in Figure 1. Of course, the transverse grid element I9 nearest the observer in Figure 1 need not have the elongated notch 2l since the upper edge of such grid element is not called upon to receive any portion of the handle lever regardless of the position of the latter. Accordingly such grid element I9 may be formed as shown in Figure 1, although it is preferably formedin the same shape as the remaining transverse grid elements to eliminate the expense incident to the making of a specially shaped end grid element.

It is to be understood that the formv of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that variouschanges in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim: A

1. A grid for forming ice cubes in a tray comprising a grid unit including a plurality of longitudinal elements substantially co-extensive in area arranged in relatively slidable face to face relation, and lever means operable while said unit is in contact with the bottom of the tray providing relative sliding movement of said elements, said elements being arranged in a manner whereby said sliding movement will effect the release of the cubes from each of said relatively slidable elements.

2. A grid for an ice cube tray comprising a grid unit including a plurality of longitudinal elements substantially co-extensive in area arranged in relatively slidable face to face relation, and means for effecting relative sliding movement of` said elements, at least one of said elements having an opening therethrough at least one edge of which is tapered to elect a camming action against the adjacent ice upon relative sliding movement of said elements.

3.' A grid for forming ice cubes in a tray comprising a grid unit including a plurality of longitudinal elements substantially co-extensive in area arranged in relatively slidable face to face relation, and lever means connected betweensaid elements and operable for effecting relative sliding movement therebetween, said elements being arranged in a manner whereby said sliding movement will effect the release of the cubes from each of said relatively slidable elements.

4. A grid for an ice cube tray comprising a grid unit including a plurality of longitudinal elements substantially co-extensive in area arranged in relatively slidable face to face relation,

. other to partake of predetermined relative sliding movement having a vertical component of movement whereby, upon relative movement of said elements, one of them will be caused to move upwardly while the other is xed against downward movement by vengagement with the tray, and means for effecting such relative movement i of said elements, said elements being arranged in a manner whereby said sliding movement will effect the release of the cubes from each of said relatively slidable elements.'

6. IA. grid for forming ice cubes in a tray comprising a longitudinal grid unit including a plurality of elements substantially co-extensive in area lying in face to face relatively slidable relationsliip, means connecting said elements adjacent one end thereof for predetermined relative sliding movement having a vertical component of movement whereby, upon relative sliding movement thereof, one of said elements will be moved upwardly, and an operating lever connected to said means to effect such relative sliding movement of Said elements, said elements being arranged in a manner whereby said sliding movement will effect the release of the cubes from each of said relatively slidable elements.

7. A grid for an ice cube tray comprising a longitudinal grid unit including a plurality of elements substantially co-extensive in area lying in face to face relatively slidable relationship, means connecting said elements adjacent one end thereof for predetermined relative sliding movement having a vertical component of movement f whereby, upon relative sliding movement thereof, one of said elements will be moved upwardly` and an operating handle connected to said means to eiect such relative sliding movement of said elements, at least'one of Said elements having an opening therein at least one edge of which is tapered to eiect a camming action against the adjacent ice when said elements partake of said relative sliding movement.

8. A gridfor forming ice cubes in a tray comprising a longitudinal grid unit including a pair of spaced parallel elements substantially co-extensive in area and an inner element arranged therebetween and slidable with respect thereto, a plurality of transverse grid elements supported by said longitudinal grid unit,` and lever means for effecting relative sliding movement of the elements of said longitudinal grid unit, said means being constructed and arranged to elTect upward movement of said pair of elements, said elements being arranged in a manner whereby said sliding movement will effect the release of the cubes from each of said relatively slidable elements.

9. A grid for an ice cuber tray comprising a longitudinal grid unit including a pair of spaced parallel elements substantially co-extensive in area and an inner element arranged therebetween and slidable With respect thereto, a plurality of transverse grid elements supported by said longitudinal grid unit, and means for effectingV relative sliding movement of the elements of said longitudinal grid unit, said means being` constructed and arranged to effect upward movement of said pair of elements, each of said pair of elements being provided with a plurality of openings therethrough at least one edge of which is tapered to effect a camming action against the adjacent ice when the elements of said longitudinal grid unit partake of said relative sliding movement.

10.` A grid unit for an ice cubetray comprising a longitudinal grid unit including a pair of spaced parallel elements substantially co-extensive .in area and an inner element arranged therebetween insliding relationship with the inner surfaces thereof, `said elements being'providedvvfwith corresponding sets of openingsgja `pl ty .-of transverse grid elements eachhaving ts ,entrai portion extending through one of s `Sets of openings and supported by said pair of .ele ents,

and means connecting said pair of elements and said inner element for relative sliding movement with respect to each other with such movement including a vertical component whereby, upon such relative sliding movement of the elements of said longitudinal unit, said pair of elements will be moved upwardly, said means including a lever for ail'ecting said relative sliding movement.

11. a grid unit for an ice cube tray comprising a longitudinal grid unit including a pair of spaced parallel elements substantially co-.extensive in area and an inner element arranged therebetween in sliding relationship with the inner surfaces thereoi'. said elements being provided with corresponding sets of openings, a plurality of transverse grid elements each having its central portion extendingI through one of said sets of openings and supported by said pair of elements, and means connecting said pair of elements and said inner element for relative sliding movement with respect to each other with such movement including a vertical component whereby, upon such relative sliding movement of the elements of said longitudinal unit, said pair of elements will be moved upwardly, said means including a, lever for eiecting said relative sliding movement, each opening in each element of said pair-having at least one edge tapered to eect a camming action against the adjacent ice when the elements of said longitudinal grid unit partake of said relative sliding movement.

12. A grid for an ice cube tray comprising a longitudinal grid unit including a pair of spaced parallel elements substantially co-extensive in area and an inner element arranged therebebetween in slidable engagement therewith, said elements being provided with a plurality or sets of openings, a plurality of transverse grid elements each having its central portion'projecting through one set of said openings and supported by said pair of elements, means connecting one end portion of said pair of elements to the adjacent end portion of said inner element for relative sliding movement substantially parallel to the upper edge oi said longitudinal unit, and a lever having pivotal connection at spaced points with said inner element and said pair of velements adjacent the other end of said longitudinal grid unit. l

13. A grid for an ice cube tray comprising a longitudinal grid unit including a pair of spaced parallel elements substantially co-extensive in area and an inner element arranged therebetween in slidable engagement therewith, said elements being provided with a plurality of sets of openings, a plurality of transverse grid elements each having its central portion projecting through one set o! said openings and supported by saidpair of elements, means connecting one end portion of said pair of elements to the adjacent end portion of said inner element for relative sliding movement substantially parallel to the upper edge of said longitudinal unit, and a lever having pivotal connection at spaced points with said inner element and said pair of elements adjacentv the other end of said longitudinal grid unit, each opening in each element of said pair having at least one edge thereof tapered to effect a camming action against the adjacent ice upon relative sliding movement of the elements of said longitudinal grid structure incident to swinging movement oi said lever.

14. A grid for an ice cube tray comprising a longitudinal grid unit formed of a pair of spaced parallel elements and an inner element arranged aaedaia to the adjacent end portion of said inner element for relative sliding movement substantially parallel'to the upper edge of said longitudinal unit,

and a lever having pivotal connection at spaced points with said inner element and said pair of elements adjacent the other end of said longitudinal grid unit, one of the pivotal. connections of said lever being a lost motion connection whereby said leverl is adapted to lie adjacent and parallel to the upper edge of said longitudinal grid unit and to be moved upwardly from such normal position before becoming effective for causing relative movement of the elements of said longitudinal grid unit.

15. In combination with an ice cube tray, a grid structure for forming ice cubes in said tray, said structure comprising a unit made up of a plurality of adjacent contacting elements slidable with respect to each other and one of which normally contacts with the bottom of said tray, and means connecting the elements of said longitudinal unit for relative sliding movement including a vertical component of movement whereby engagement of said first named element with the bottom of said tray causes such relative sliding movement to result in upward movement of the other element of said longitudinal unit, said elements being arranged in a manner whereby said sliding movement will elect the release of the cubes from each of said relatively slidable elements. i

16. In combination with an ice cube tray, a

ygrid structure comprising a longitudinal unit formed of a pair of spaced parallel elements and an yinner element arranged therebetween in slidable engagement therewith, said elements being provided with spaced sets of openings, a plurality of transverse grid elements each having its central portion projecting through one set of openings and supported by said pair of elements, and means connecting said pair of elements to said innerk element -for predetermined relative sliding movement including a vertical component of movement whereby, with said inner element eri-- gaging the 4bottom of said tray. said pair of elements Will be caused to move upwardly, said means including an operating lever for effecting said predetermined relative sliding movement.

17. In combination with an ice cube trfy, a grid structure comprising a longitudinal unit formed of a pair of spaced parallel elements and an` inner element arranged therebetween in slidable engagement therewith, said elements being provided with spaced sets of openings, a plurality of transverse grid elements each having its central portion projecting through one set of openings and supported by said' pair of elements, and means connecting said pair of elements to said inner element for predetermined relative sliding movement including a vertical component of movement whereby, with said inner element engaging the bottom of said tray, said pair of elements will be caused to move upwardly, said means including an operating lever for effecting said predetermined relative sliding movement, each opening in each element of said pair having at least one edge tapered to effect a camming action against the adjacent ice when the elements of said longitudinal grid unit par take of said relative sliding movement.

18. In combination with an ice cube tray, a grid structure comprising a longitudinal grid unit formed of a pair of spaced parallel elements and an inner element arranged between and slidably engaging the adjacent faces of the elements of said pair and having `its lower edge normally seating against;l the bottom oi said tray, the elements of said longitudinal unit having spaced sets of openings, a plurality of transverse -grid elements each'having its central portion arranged in the openings of one set, a pin projecting through and carried by said pair of elements adjacent one end thereof, a slot formed in said inner element approximately parallel to the horizontal plane of the top of said tray and slidably receiving said pin, and a lever pivotally connected at spaced points to said inner element and said pair of elements adjacent the other end of said longitudinal unit whereby, upon operation of said lever, the point in said inner element to which said lever is connected will be caused to move in an arc of a circle concentric with the Vpivotal connection of said lever with said pair of elements and. transmit relative sliding movement to said inner element and said pair of elements, such movement taking place with said inner element openings, a plurality of transverse grid elements each having its central portion arranged in the openings of one set, a pin projecting through and carried by said pair of elements adjacent one end thereof, a slot formed in said inner element approximately parallel to the horizontal plane cf the top of said tray and slidably receiving said pin, and a lever pivotally connected at spaced points to said inner element and said pair of elements adjacent the other end of said longitudinal unit whereby, upon operation of said lever, the point in said inner element to which said lever is connected will be caused to. move in an arc of a circle concentric with the pivotal connection of said lever with said pair of elements and transmit place with said inner element engaging the botmove upwardly and longitudinally away from engaging the bottom of said tray whereby the engaging the adjacent faces of the elements of said pair and having its lower edge normally seating against the bottom of said trayrthe elements of said longitudinal unit having spaced sets of the opposite end of the tray, each opening in each element of said pair having at least one edge tapered to eiect a camming action against the adjacent ice upon' relative sliding movement of the elements of said longitudinal grid unit.

20. A grid for forming ice cubes in a tray comprising a longitudinal grid unit including a plurality of elements substantially co-extensive in area lying in face to face relatively slidable relationship, means connecting said elements at one end thereoffor relative sliding movement, and lever means connecting said elements at the other end thereof to effect relative sliding movement of said elements, said` elements being arranged in a manner whereby said sliding movement will elTect the release of the cubes from each of said relatively slidable elements.

' LOGAN L. MALLARD. 

